What a busy term—time seems to have flown, and I can't believe we are less than a week away from Christmas Day and the holiday celebrations!

But what a lot of celebrations Ashmount has to record and rejoice in this term! Winners of the School of the Year, Community Champions and finalists in the Healthy School awards in the Leicester Mercury Education Awards. And a finalist in the Special Recognition Award in the Sports Awards Roll of Honour—congratulations Shaun!

Events where we gain recognition are very gratifying, but I particularly like to attend all the events our pupils participate in—the wonderful group singing at The Curve, the links with the art projects at the Attenborough Centre, and not forgetting the brilliant nativity plays we have just enjoyed from our youngest pupils—they really put us in the mood for Christmas!

And a big thank you also for the support we continue to get for all these events from our parents, carers and supporters—this year's Christmas Fayre was a rip roaring success, both socially and financially!

But the nicest comment I have heard recently came from one judge at the Education Awards, who said: “When you come into Ashmount, you don't feel anyone is putting on a show or trying to impress—you just see everyone pulling together and co-operating to make sure everyone is being given the best possible educational experience, in the broadest sense of the word.” That's what we're all striving to do—term in and term out—and it's great when this is noted. Thank you to everyone for helping school continue to deliver the best for our pupils.

Now let's relax and enjoy the festivities—the Governors wish a very Merry Christmas to everyone!!

Jean Lewis 

Chair of Governors